Not getting top 4 is actually a good thing in the long run in my opinion. If we'd got it, you can imagine the crack papering that could be done when Ralf suggests most of these chancers need to be 'managed out of the organisation' over the next 18 months. Much easier for the higher ups to say - well, they got top 4, so surely there's many who might be salvaged under a new manager.
Unable to get top 4 with the run of fixtures we had, while the rivals for that 4th place were all dropping loads of points too..... nothing to be salvaged here.
People have moaned that he hasn't dropped the underperforming players and keeps playing those who are out of contract in the summer. I think he did this to give them the rope to hang themselves. imagine he dropped Pogba / Maguire / Rashford etc permanently after 3 games, instead of us seeing how awful they have been despite being played most weeks, imagine how that might be spun by their 'people' - "he hasn't played, the manager never gave him a chance, Paul can be great for the new manager". "Rashford just needs matches to get sharp again". "Maguire was just out of form after a difficult summer, he needs games to get his confidence back"
They all got plenty of games, and they all stank the place out.
Those that think Ralf's #1 priority was getting top 4 are understandably going to argue he's failed, and be correct in this.
Those who think Ralf's #1 priority was to undertake a frank and honest appraisal of the club and the playing staff with a view to a possible summer rebuild, will argue his best work is likely to come and being manager was a means to an end, may also be right in the long run.